How Veganism Shocked Me plus Four Ingredient Juice Recipe

It was only a few weeks ago that I was struggling to get up in the morning, struggling to stay awake throughout the day, and finding it hard to think clearly – This was when I decided to give my body a break and take a whirl at veganism.

I’ve been a vegetarian for about three years now and have frequently considered going vegan, for numerous reasons. However, the sheer thought of giving up some excellent sources of protein intimidated me quite a lot, given that my workout routines are quite intense. There’s a lot of negative stigma around veganism and how it deprives your body of the things it needs. In my mind, I don’t care too much about what people say about what I should and shouldn’t eat, because every human body is unique, so I decided to listen to what it was telling me, in this sluggish rut, and made a change.

The cleanse was only supposed to last a week; I would cut out any and all animal produce. Milk, eggs, honey. All of it.

Day one was hard, mainly because I didn’t have my routine morning coffee from my favourite cafe and a ten hour shift ahead of me…but by day two (yes it happened that fast!) I felt so light. My head was clearer and my body felt fresher. The morning had me full of energy from all the plants I had been devouring. My water intake had risen, I slept better, and I was popping off to the gym with a spring in my step…this is day two!

By the end of the week, I was sold, hooked and a new member of the vegan society. A leap I never thought I was capable of taking. But here’s the thing, listening to your body is so important, and the journey to living the healthiest, happiest life you’re capable of, is yours alone. If I had listened to all the negativity surrounding veganism, I would never have found out how amazing it could feel to live on a plant based diet. Now I’m healthier than I’ve been in a long time.

If you’re intimidated by the idea, but want to give it a go, then take baby steps. Cut out dairy first and have a look at all the different recipes online. It can be really difficult to make such a huge change, or it can be incredibly fun. It’s all about perception. To get you started, here is a really easy, super simple juice recipe I threw together when England went through a brief heat wave a week ago. It’s tropical, and refreshing! Enjoy in the garden, on the beach or after a long walk.

Ingredients: (I tend to guess with quantity depending on how I’m feeling, so you can adjust accordingly)

A handful of watermelon cubes

Quarter of a cucumber (skinned and chopped)

Cup of coconut milk

Juice of half a lemon

Process:

Blend all the ingredients in a juicer until smooth then sift, discard the seeds, and pour over ice.

Drink immediately and enjoy!

PS: This juice is great for de-bloating, it works better if you replace the coconut milk with water, but I’m a sucker for that tropical taste!

Rebecca-Lauren Reid is an English actress, fitness and health food lover, blogger and child of the Earth. She is dedicated to finding the perfect balance between a healthy body and a healthy mind, fully intending on sharing that wisdom with anyone and everyone she meets.Instagram: @xrebeccaxreidxWebsite: beccaszen.com